Marie Elizabeth (Fabriz/Westby) Cooper

Marie Elizabeth-Huculak-Cooper was born on January 23, 1938 in Edmonton, AB to Wilhelm & Maria Fabriz. Maria died of pneumonia shortly after Marie's birth. Thereafter Marie was adopted by the neighbours, Herald and Lula Westby of Bloomsbury, AB where she lived until the age of 4. 3 1/2 years later Ivan Richard was adopted at 6 months old.

At aged 4 they all moved to Salmon Arm, BC. Eventually the family moved to Vernon, BC where they bought and ran the Chesterfield Shop. Marie and Ivan enjoyed life and school in Vernon. Marie came to Calgary in 1955 to enroll at SAIT in the Nursing Aide Course. Following graduation she worked at the General Hospital and the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service. 
Following a short marriage to Wm. Huculak, Marie began work again at the Calgary General Hospital, and the Peter Lougheed Hospital in various positions after upgrading. She spent another 33 years there until retirement in 1993. 

Marie was always a volunteer and as she said "I have more time than money". Her most notable volunteer positions were the 1988 Olympics and Jr. Forest Wardens. Her longest volunteer service was for Variety Club at the Stampeder football games for 27 years. She also spent 10 years on the Travel Desk at Kerby Centre. Marie was an avid traveller who had visited 64 countries and a number of states and provinces. Besides travel, her hobbies were dancing, camping, hiking, backpacking and cross-­country skiing and gardening. She loved the outdoors rain or shine! 

Marie leaves behind her loving children, Teanna (Lloyd), Lavonne (David), son Peter, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. 
 

Cremation has taken place. No funeral by request. Donations in Marie's memory may be made to the Kerby Centre or Variety Club, Calgary. 

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